Side hustle made easy – Print, sell, profit.
Looking for the best business to start with little money? In 2025, there are more opportunities than ever. We’ve created a list of low-cost business ideas, from Print on Demand to freelancing, to jumpstart your journey.
Whether you want to sell products, offer services, or build passive income, these ideas help you start with little money and grow at your own pace.
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Key takeaways
- You don’t need a big budget to launch a successful business – many ideas in this list can be started with under $100.
- From Print on Demand and blogging to pet sitting and social media management, there’s a wide range of low-cost options for all interests and skill sets.
- The key to success is choosing a niche, understanding your target market, and consistently delivering value.
- Many of these businesses can be started from home with just a laptop, an internet connection, and a few online tools.
- With the right mindset, smart marketing strategies, and a bit of persistence, a side hustle can grow into a profitable business.
Why start a small business?
Before we dive into some of the best low-cost business ideas, it’s worth stepping back to consider why so many people are choosing to become small business owners – especially those starting out with minimal initial costs.
Whether you’re after more freedom, financial growth, or simply want to make a living doing something you love, the benefits of starting your own business go far beyond just making money.
Let’s take a closer look.
Independence and flexibility
Starting your own business gives you control over your time and workload. You decide when and where to work, making it perfect if you’re transitioning from a full-time job or balancing other responsibilities.
Personal fulfillment
Building a business around a particular subject or passion brings a deep sense of accomplishment. Whether you’re offering services online or selling something creative, there’s real satisfaction in building something from scratch.
Financial opportunities
A strong business idea can lead to significant earnings with minimal upfront investment. With the right marketing and a clear understanding of your target audience, you can scale quickly and sustainably.
Never-ending learning and growth
The business world is dynamic. Starting your own business means diving into customer behavior, digital marketing, project management, and so much more – it’s a continuous journey of learning and growth.
Best small business to start with little money
Whether you’re looking for a side hustle, a long-term career change, or simply a way to explore your entrepreneurial spirit, these low-cost business ideas are a great place to begin.
Here are 20 options with little initial costs that offer flexible work and can grow over time.
1. Print-on-demand business
Print on Demand (POD) is a fantastic business model that lets you design and sell custom products like apparel, accessories, and home decor for any niche.
The best part? There are no startup costs, and you don’t need to manage inventory. The POD company handles order fulfillment while you focus on building your online store and marketing your brand.
How to start:
Start by doing market research to find a niche and identify your target audience. Then, register for a free Printify account.
Browse our Catalog of over 1,300 customizable items, use the Product Creator to design your products, and connect your store to platforms like Shopify or online marketplaces like Etsy. Our global network of Print Providers handles fulfillment and shipping for you.
Benefits:
- No inventory management
- Perfect to start with little money
- Allows you to generate passive income over time
- Flexible, worldwide network of providers
Start selling today!
2. Start a blog
Blogging is still one of the most accessible ways to build a brand, earn money, and share knowledge. It’s a good business idea for those who enjoy writing and want to create content around a specific subject.
How to start:
Pick a niche you’re both passionate about and knowledgeable in. Then, register a domain through a provider like Hostinger and set up your site using WordPress or a website builder like Squarespace or Wix.
Start publishing helpful, engaging content that solves problems or answers common questions in your niche.
There are several ways to monetize a blog: display ads, affiliate marketing (promoting products and earning a commission), sponsored content, and selling digital products like templates or eBooks. If your blog builds enough authority, you can also offer consulting.
Promote your content using social media and search engine optimization (SEO), which helps your blog rank higher in search engines, making it easier for people to find you.
To improve SEO, use relevant keywords, write clear meta descriptions, optimize images, and create fast-loading pages. If you’re using WordPress, plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math can guide you through on-page optimization.
Benefits:
- Minimal upfront costs to get started
- Flexible schedule and creative freedom
- Can become profitable with time
3. Sell an online course
If you’re knowledgeable in something others want to learn – fitness, photography, coding, even baking – package that into an online course and sell it.
How to start:
Outline your course content and record your lessons (even using your phone works in the beginning).
Upload your course to platforms like Teachable, Skillshare, or Udemy. Focus on delivering and promoting value to the right target audience through social media.
Benefits:
- Create once, sell repeatedly
- High profit potential
- A great way to turn expertise into a rewarding business
4. Graphic design services
If you’re good with visuals and have experience with tools like Canva or Adobe Illustrator, graphic design is an excellent service to offer. Small businesses and startups are always looking for help with branding and marketing materials.
How to start:
Build a portfolio with sample projects to showcase your skills and attract potential clients. Then, find opportunities on freelance platforms like Behance.
Share your work on social media and freelance platforms, and connect with other business owners to grow your client base.
Don’t forget to invest in tools. Professional design software like Adobe Illustrator will take your work to the next level.
Benefits:
- Low start-up capital – you likely already have everything you need
- Constant demand from small businesses
- Work remotely and scale over time
5. Personal training
If you’re passionate about fitness and helping others reach their health goals, becoming a personal trainer can be a fulfilling way to start. With wellness trends on the rise and more people looking for personalized support, it’s a service that’s in demand all year round.
How to start:
Get certified through a recognized organization like ACE Fitness or NASM – many offer online certification options with minimal initial investment.
Once certified, promote your services through social media, create a website, or partner with local gyms and studios. Train clients in person, online, or offer hybrid options using video calls and fitness apps like Strava.
Benefits:
- Start with low initial costs, especially if you train clients in public parks or online
- Flexible hours and potential to scale into group classes or digital programs
- A rewarding way to combine fitness, accountability, and business ownership
6. Content writing
With content playing a central role in SEO, social media, and email marketing, there’s growing demand for skilled writers. If you enjoy writing and research, this is a perfect freelance service to offer.
How to start:
Create writing samples across a few industries, then pitch your services to blogs, businesses, and agencies. LinkedIn, as well as content and freelance platforms like Fiverr, are great places to find gigs.
To enhance your work, use online tools like Chat GPT and Google Gemini, grammar checkers such as Grammarly, and SEO tools like Semrush.
Benefits:
- Easy to start with just a computer
- Scalable with recurring clients
- In-demand skill for many businesses
7. Become an Instagram influencer
Influencer marketing is still thriving, especially in micro-niches. If you’re good at building social media accounts and engaging followers, you can create a brand around yourself and monetize.
How to start:
Pick a niche you enjoy – fitness, parenting, spooky buildings, tech, Japanese cooking, alligators – and consistently post engaging content. Grow your audience with hashtags, reels, and collaborations.
Monetize through paid promotions, commissions, and affiliate marketing. Use platforms like Upfluence to find partnerships.
Benefits:
- No upfront product cost
- Brand partnerships and affiliate marketing opportunities
- Ideal for content creators with strong marketing skills
8. Sell your photography
Turn your photography hobby into income by selling your work as digital downloads, prints, or through stock photo platforms. Whether you enjoy nature shots, portraits, or styled product photography, there are plenty of ways to turn your creative eye into profit.
How to start:
Upload and license your best photos on stock platforms like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock to attract buyers looking for high-quality visuals.
Additionally, sell digital files and custom prints through Etsy or use Printify to create and ship physical products like posters or canvas prints without holding inventory.
To reach more clients, promote your portfolio on visual platforms like Instagram or 500px to build your reputation and grow your following.
Benefits:
- One photo can sell multiple times with no extra work
- Start with a camera and basic editing software
- Great way to earn passive income doing something creative
9. Cleaning services
A cleaning business is a practical and stable idea. Whether it’s homes, offices, or even corporate events, the demand for reliable cleaning help is steady and often recurring.
How to start:
Begin by investing in basic cleaning supplies like disinfectants, vacuums, and eco-friendly products that appeal to today’s health- and environment-conscious clients.
Promote your services on local platforms like Nextdoor, Facebook Marketplace, and community and local businesses bulletin boards. You can focus on general home cleaning or offer specialized services for offices, Airbnb rentals, or post-event cleanups.
Don’t forget to ask satisfied customers for word-of-mouth referrals to build trust and grow your reputation.
Benefits:
- Low start-up capital
- High repeat customer potential
- Can scale into a team-based operation or a full agency
10. Airbnb hosting
If you have an unused room, garage, apartment, or vacation property, renting it on Airbnb can generate a steady income.
How to start:
Create a listing on Airbnb with high-quality photos, and a compelling, honest description. Make sure the space is guest-ready – invest in quality furnishings and amenities, and keep everything spotless.
Use the platform’s built-in tools to easily communicate with guests and track reservations.
Benefits:
- Make use of existing property
- Flexible scheduling
- Great for building a side income with little money
11. Become a YouTuber or video editor
With the ongoing rise of video content, platforms like YouTube offer endless opportunities to share ideas, entertain, or teach others, while building a real income stream.
Whether you’re creating videos or offering editing services to influencers and brands, this field offers flexibility and strong growth potential.
How to start:
Pick a topic you’re passionate about and create a YouTube channel. Script a few videos and start posting consistently to build an audience.
As your channel grows, monetize through ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, promoting products, or even selling your own YouTube merchandise. If video editing is more your style, build your skills using tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, create a portfolio, and offer your services on freelance platforms like Fiverr to attract potential clients looking for professional edits.
Benefits:
- Potential to generate passive income from YouTube ads and affiliate deals
- Creative freedom and flexible scheduling
- Expandable into a full content production or freelance editing business
12. Become a social media manager
As more small businesses recognize the importance of a strong social media presence, managers are in high demand. If you enjoy creating content, analyzing trends, and helping brands grow online, this can be a great fit.
How to start:
Pick a niche – such as restaurants, coaches, or wellness brands – and create a tailored service package. Build your expertise by learning content strategy, engagement tactics, and analytics through free resources or online platforms like Coursera.
Promote your skills using mock accounts or case studies, and use tools like Later to schedule posts and track results. You can also advertise your services on LinkedIn to connect with business owners looking for growth.
Benefits:
- Easy to start with free and low-cost tools
- Ongoing demand across many industries
- A flexible and scalable online business that fits remote work lifestyles
13. Travel consultant
If you love organizing trips and obsess over the details that make travel smooth and memorable, becoming a travel consultant might be your ideal path.
You’ll help others plan their perfect vacation, business trip, or honeymoon – and get paid for doing what you love.
How to start:
Begin by specializing in a specific type of travel, like luxury, budget-friendly, historical places, peregrination routes, or eco-tourism, and focus your services accordingly.
To sharpen your skills, learn the basics of booking systems and trip and event planning services. Then, consider using travel agency software like Ezus to streamline itinerary building and manage bookings professionally.
Promote your expertise through a blog, social media, or by joining travel forums where you can connect with both individual and business clients.
Benefits:
- Start with low upfront costs and minimal equipment
- Perfect for travel enthusiasts who enjoy logistics
- Flexible hours and the ability to work remotely from anywhere
14. Start a subscription box service
Subscription boxes are still going strong in 2025, with customers eager for curated experiences that show up at their doorstep each month.
Whether it’s snacks, pet toys, skincare, toolkits, or wellness kits, if you love sourcing unique items and packaging them into something special, this could be a highly rewarding business.
How to start:
Begin by researching trends and identifying your target audience to find a niche that stands out – something people are excited to receive regularly. Partner with wholesalers or local suppliers to source products affordably, and if needed, consider applying for small business loans to help with early inventory or packaging.
Build your branded website using platforms like Shopify, Cratejoy, or Craftiosity to manage subscriptions and handle payments. Use social media to create buzz ahead of launch and keep momentum going with regular updates and promotions.
Benefits:
- Recurring revenue from monthly subscribers
- Strong engagement and loyalty from your customer base
- Easy to start with little money and scale as demand grows
15. Become a self-published author
If you’ve always dreamed of writing a book, now’s the perfect time to turn that goal into a business. Self-publishing gives you full control over your work and opens up opportunities to reach readers around the world.
Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) make the process simple and accessible, even for beginners.
How to start:
Begin by drafting your manuscript using tools like Scrivener to stay organized. When your draft is ready, polish it with editing tools like Grammarly or work with a freelance editor if your budget allows.
Design a professional-looking cover, format your manuscript for digital reading, and publish it on KDP to distribute your book globally. Promote your launch through Goodreads, social media, or niche communities to build excitement and drive early sales.
Benefits:
- Minimal costs to publish
- Royalties offer a steady stream of passive income
- Ideal for niche expertise, fiction, or personal storytelling
16. App development
If you’re tech-savvy or have experience in web development, creating mobile or web apps can be a highly rewarding and in-demand business model. Whether you build your own app or take on projects for clients, there’s strong market demand for user-friendly, functional applications across nearly every industry.
How to start:
Begin by mastering the fundamentals through platforms like Codecademy, where you can learn coding languages such as Swift, Kotlin, or Java. As you grow more confident, use UI toolkits like Flutter to streamline development and bring your app ideas to life faster.
For client work, join freelance platforms and pitch your services to startups or small businesses. To stay organized and deliver quality work on time, tools like Jira can help you manage tasks, track progress, and collaborate if you’re working with a team.
Benefits:
- High income potential in a growing industry
- A valuable and versatile digital skill set
- A flexible, scalable business that can start with minimal investment
17. Translation services
If you’re fluent in more than one language, offering professional translation can be a reliable, flexible, and low-cost business.
From websites and marketing materials to academic documents and video subtitles, quality translations are in high demand across industries.
How to start:
Join freelance platforms like ProZ, Fiverr, or Upwork to connect with small businesses, agencies, and educational institutions needing your skills. To improve workflow and productivity, use translation tools like SDL Trados, which help manage large projects efficiently.
You can also search LinkedIn or industry forums to discover new potential clients and long-term freelance opportunities. As you grow, consider specializing in a niche industry like legal, medical, or tech, or even offer localization services for websites and apps.
Benefits:
- Requires little to no start-up capital
- A globally relevant skill with consistent demand
- Flexible remote work that can scale into a team or agency
18. Babysitting
Simple but always in demand, babysitting is a classic low-cost business idea that’s easy to start and well-suited for anyone who enjoys working with children.
It’s especially ideal if you’re looking for flexible, local work that builds trust and long-term relationships.
How to start:
Let friends, family, and neighbors know you’re offering babysitting services, and spread the word in local communities or schools.
You can also register on apps like Care.com to find nearby families actively seeking help. To increase your credibility and stand out, consider getting certified in CPR, first aid, and childcare through organizations like the Red Cross.
Benefits:
- Offers immediate income with minimal overhead
- Builds trust, leading to repeat clients and referrals
- Requires no special equipment – just reliability and care
19. Pet sitting
With more people treating pets like family, dependable pet sitting services are in high demand. From dog walking to overnight care, this is a low-cost business idea that offers both flexibility and genuine connection – especially if you’re an animal lover.
How to start:
Sign up for trusted pet care platforms like Rover or Wag! to connect with nearby pet owners looking for reliable help. You can also promote your services in neighborhood apps, local Facebook groups, and community ad boards.
To build trust and show your commitment, consider taking pet care and first aid courses through the Red Cross Pet First Aid program – it’s a great way to stand out among other providers.
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule and a variety of service options
- Easy to start with little money and no special equipment
- A rewarding way to turn love for animals into consistent income
20. Virtual assistant services
A virtual assistant helps with everything from inbox management and calendar coordination to research, data entry, and customer service.
It’s a fast-growing field, especially as new business owners and solopreneurs seek support without hiring full-time staff.
How to start:
Choose services that align with your strengths – whether it’s admin support, project management, content creation, or customer service, these skills are always in demand.
Create a simple website or online portfolio to highlight your skills, and promote yourself through LinkedIn, job boards, or platforms like Belay, Time Etc, or Upwork.
Benefits:
- Start with familiar tools like Google Workspace or Trello
- High demand among small business owners and startups
- Can grow into a full-time business or a team-based agency
FAQ
While success depends on your skills, effort, and audience, some of the most successful businesses today are in digital marketing, freelance writing, Print on Demand, and online courses.
These ideas often require little money to launch and offer strong scalability. A well-executed business plan and smart marketing strategies can make a huge difference in long-term success.
Some of the cheapest and most lucrative business ideas include pet sitting, freelancing, virtual assistant and tutoring services, and content writing. These require little to no start-up capital, can be launched from home, and often lead to steady, recurring work.
By keeping initial costs low and focusing on high-demand services, you can grow quickly while staying lean.
With $1,000 or less, you have several great options: launch a Print on Demand store, sell online courses, offer graphic design or freelance services, or even start a subscription box. These ideas are ideal for anyone who wants to start with little money but still build a professional, revenue-generating operation.
Conclusion
There’s never been a better time to explore the best business to start with little money. Whether you want to build something full-time or start a side hustle while keeping your full-time job, these 20 ideas prove that you don’t need a massive budget to launch a meaningful, rewarding business.
From freelance writing and virtual assistant services to launching a Print on Demand store or creating online courses, each idea on this list has the potential to grow with you. With the right market research, a clearly-defined audience, and consistent effort, you can turn a low cost business into a thriving income stream.
Ready to turn your idea into action? Check out our platform to find the tools, support, and free resources you need to start strong – with minimal costs and maximum confidence.
